“There are many accounts, going back thousands of years, of cursed jewelry. More skeptical minds than mine have referred to these as ‘irregular properties,’ ” Silas said. “The Delhi Purple Sapphire, the Hope Diamond, the La Peregrina Pearl… it is not unheard of. I wondered if either of you—”

A phone in the back rang. “Forgive me,” Silas said, bowing slightly. “I shall return momentarily.” And he walked to the back room again.

Grey turned to Jaya. “I wish he’d just get to the point.”

A few minutes later, Silas hurried back, slipping his pocket watch back into his coat pocket. “Thank you for your patience. It’s now time for me to show you why I called you here.”

“Great,” Grey said tightly. Jaya glanced down at his hands, and it was only then that he realized they were shaking again.

They walked with Silas back to the workbench and the necklace. Grey wondered if this was what it felt like being led to the gallows. His footsteps felt leaden; he felt like he must weigh a thousand pounds.

Silas went around the workbench and picked up the pendant very carefully. Then he tipped it over. The ruby, the one he’d set with epoxy, fell out.

“I don’t understand,” Jaya said. “I thought you used the epoxy to secure the ruby.”

“I did, indeed,” Silas said, his eyes watchful as he took in their expressions. “And I should note, this is the very same epoxy I use for all my projects. I’ve used this brand for decades now. It’s never not worked before.”

Grey swallowed and heard the clicking in his dry throat.

“So, what are you trying to say?” Jaya said, shifting beside Grey. Her tone was somewhere between disbelief and defensiveness.

Silas shrugged. “I’m not attempting to convince you of anything, Princess Jaya. I am merely showing you what I have experienced.” His light brown eyes slipped to meet Grey’s. “What do you make of this, Lord Northcliffe?”

Grey shook his head. He could feel Jaya’s gaze on him. “I… I think I need some air.” He glanced at Jaya quickly. “Will you finish this up and meet me outside?”

She nodded, her brow furrowed. “Are you all right?”

“Fine.” He nodded in Silas’s direction without quite meeting his eye. “Thank you for meeting with us, Silas. It, ah, must’ve been something I ate.”

“Of course, Lord Northcliffe,” Silas murmured.

Grey tried not to run to the door.